Dedicating more time to your mental wellness is a New Year’s Resolution we should all consider. January is Mental Wellness Month, and we couldn’t think of a better way to start that journey than by reintroducing ourselves to tips on self-care and stress management.

GET YOUR BODY MOVING
Exercise is known to help improve not only your physical health, but your mind as well. The Centers for Disease Control suggest that exercise has cognitive thinking benefits in children ages 6 to 13. In adults, it can reduce short-term feelings of anxiety. Get your body moving by joining an exercise class or find a buddy that will hold you accountable to accomplish your goal.
BRAIN EXERCISES
What has hands, but can’t clap? Riddles like this are helpful at keeping your brain stimulated. Keeping your brain active lowers stress levels, anxiety, and depression. If riddles aren’t your thing, try daily crossword puzzles, journaling, and coloring books. If you’re exercising your brain right now trying to figure out the riddle, here’s a hint – you look at it to tell time. That’s right! The answer is a clock.
TALK TO SOMEONE TRUSTED
Express your feelings. Health experts suggest you find someone you can trust and start a conversation. Have you heard the saying, “Get it off your chest?” Holding in negative thoughts may lead to unhealthy habits. When you’re with someone you trust, express your thoughts and feelings. It may make you feel better right away! You may even discover new things about yourself, and that’s worth celebrating.
EXPLORE A NEW HOBBY
There are many benefits of having hobbies. It releases stress, boosts your self-esteem, and you can partake in something you’re passionate about. A hobby should be an activity that’s a healthy and productive interruption in daily demands. A hobby can be as simple as picking up a book and reading it, knitting, taking yoga classes, and journaling.
RELAX
Get a goodnight’s sleep. Giving your body the opportunity to reset can provide youth with the energy and mental wellness they need to have a day filled with purpose. According to the Mental Health Center, 75 percent of people with depression are not getting enough sleep. “On average, youth need anywhere from 8 to 12 hours of sleep,” explained Orchard Place Mental Health Therapist Isabella North, tLMHC, CADC. “Without adequate sleep, ability to problem solve, focus, learn in school, and manage emotions can be significantly lessened.”
Remember that your mental wellness is important to include in your daily routine. Contact your healthcare provider for treatments, diagnosing, and other tips for contributing to your mental wellness.